For many Dallas diners, DFW Restaurant Week is an annual excuse to eat out at one of the 100-plus participating restaurants. The speed with which reservations at these restaurants fill up inspired our still unproven theory that some Dallas residents don't know these same steakhouses and Italian joints are open the other 51 weeks of the year. But it's for charity, so book away, Dallas.

Mark your calendar for August 11 through 17. If you've been looking for a way to feed the hungry through the North Texas Food Bank, while also feeding yourself, then we suggest you eat out every night during Restaurant Week. Last year, the event raised $754,000 for the NTFB and the Lena Pope Home. The bragging rights for the most money raised in 2013 went to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Al Biernat's, Fogo de Chão Churrascaria, and III Forks.

The restaurants for the 17th edition of DFW Restaurant week will be announced in early summer. When the list is announced, we'll let you know, but it will be up to you to quickly snag a coveted reservation. Maybe now is the time to delete Candy Crush and download OpenTable.